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position's rather precarious, I think you'll agree?'
She coloured again and opened her mouth. Never had she thought to be
meekly obeying orders like this! She allowed her mind to wander to
Miranda and she would willingly have changed places with her! But yet,
even now, Sarah could find time to think of her friend, and to own that, in
this particular position, she would have undergone a complete collapse, and
even if she had escaped unharmed, she would never have been the same
again. Miranda was like that. Adverse circumstances troubled her greatly
and, unlike Sarah who was ready to fight back, Miranda would succumb to
pessimism and deep depression.
The tablets were swallowed, and half of the water. Sarah lay back and closed
her eyes.
'What time is it?' she asked, and was told it was almost one o'clock.
'You feel much better now?' Charon amazed her by the hint of anxiety
carried in his voice. 'You'll be able to go to sleep?'
'I think so.' Her mind was confused, not so much by the cause of her
blackout, but by Charon's attitude. The way he was at this moment she felt
perfectly safe! 'Thank you for the water and the tablets.'
Another surprise as she felt him tuck the cover into her shoulder.
'Good night, Sarah. I hope you'll be your usual fighting self in the morning.'
Catching his mood, she replied,
'I'm sure I shall, Mr Drakos.'
'Charon,' he murmured, but as he was now going from the room no argument
resulted from his words.
CHAPTER FOUR
BY the following morning Sarah was completely recovered; she did not
know whether she was glad or sorry. It would seem that while she was off
colour Charon would not trouble her, but once she was as he himself had
termed it her usual fighting self, she could expect him to resume his
amorous pursuits. However, she was optimistic of effecting an escape before
the end of the day, and so when he knocked and entered the bedroom she
was up and dressed and looking her normal healthy self.
'Ready for anything,' he observed, and she gave a small start, for it did seem
that he could read her thoughts.
'What time do we arrive at this place?' she asked, acutely aware that already
his appreciative eyes we*e roving her face, and her neck, and then her lovely
slender figure.
'This afternoon,' he answered briefly. 'Only another few hours and you'll be
in the home you'll occupy for some time to come,' he added, just as if to
remind her that although she had escaped temporarily, she must be prepared
for what was to come to her. 'I know you're still considering the possibility
of escaping from me, Sarah, but I assure you you're wasting your time. I've
found a woman who intrigues me, who appeals as much to my intellect as to
my desires. I firmly believe we shall deal famously together, once you have
accepted me as your master, that is.' His eyes glimmered with sardonic
amusement as he noted her changing expression. 'How very lovely you are
when in a temper. Those eyes ... so dark a blue, and yet it is fire they flash
when your anger is aroused.' He paused a moment. 'Very unusual eyes, my
dear,' he said, and naturally she was reminded of his previous strange
reference to them. 'However,' he added, becoming coolly efficient, 'I didn't
come here to talk about your eyes. I came to see if you are ready for some
breakfast. It's after nine o'clock, you'll probably have noticed?'
She nodded.
'The bacon and toast smells appetising,' she had to admit, and this appeared
to please him.
'Come, then, we'll partake of bacon and toast together.'
The same man waited on the table, with his companion merely putting in the
odd appearance, as he had the previous evening.
'Pam seems to have gained the right impression,' murmured Sarah, not really
meaning that her companion should hear. But of course he did, and his
eyebrows lifted a fraction in a gesture of inquiry.
'What impression is that?' he wanted to know.
Resignedly Sarah realized she must answer him and she said that Pam had
believed he was a wealthy man.
'This yacht,' added Sarah, 'it appears to be a very expensive
model although I must admit I don't know anything about boats at all.'
'But your friend Miranda does, apparently,' he rejoined, turning the subject
from himself. 'I've been thinking when she's been on that island long
enough to regret her wicked ways, I might have someone take the Halcyone
to her, and let her get back in it to the Piraeus.'
'You will,' eagerly and almost gratefully.
'When?'
Charon passed her the toast, his brow thoughtful.
'Once again it is your friend's situation that takes precedence over your own.
You do realize, my Sarah, that you are in the direst situation possible?'
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